Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-09-21

TO buy 1t at such price, But why do
you want TO quash the bill of salep"
81 want to be rid of the business. 1t
doesn't SUIT me to have thing OF this
sort hanging over me-in fact, it Is
against me IN my profession"
Better find the 600 then," replied
the money lender, lnsOlently; "but per-
sonally L am not fond of buying pigs In
pokes, or pictures by unknown artists,
though perhaps other people may be.
1t Is, however, for you to find them,
not for me. Good morning, my dear
sir. Sorry can't oblige you"
"Horrid old scamp" muttered Me-
Clip, as he left Zerubbabel's shop and
turned his face westward.
mot to be caught by chafT, my fine
shentleman," commented the amiable
bric-a-brac dealer, turning back into
his dingy abode. "You don't get OFF
your bargain SO easily as that" :" Then
he proceeded to unlock fire proof safe
in the corner of his sanctum, and
glOated greedily over the documents
reposing therein, documents which
represented some remarkably hard bar
gains driven by Mr.. Zerubbabel with
his lawful prey, men in difficulties.
He was interrupted in this pleasant
recreation, one in which he usually
spent any spare moments he could
snatch from business, by the entrance
| of friend and compatriOt, one Aibram
Lew, picture dealer by profession.
After an exchange of amicable greet
ings the two gentlemen spent half an
hour or so In confidential conversation
on the state OF their respective trades;
then rs a pleasant deSoeuvrement after
this head work, they ImbIbed several
glasses of brandy and water and smoked
rs many high favored cigars.
Perhaps Mr.. Lew consumed more
than his fair share of these luXuries,
for IN a moment of expansion he began
to talk over his business projects for
the coming season
I've got capital thing in view.
don't mind telling you about It, Zerub-
babel, my dear boy, for you're not in
the same swim, SO il doesn't matter
Have you heard of young Megilp's
Academy picture?"
ZeruSbabel shook his head, but
leaned forward eagerly, with his cum
ming eyes fixed on Mr. Lewis flushed
cOuntenance.
Splendid thIng-safe to make a SEN
sation. L mean TO get hold of it, cheap,
II can; and as he's only young fel-
chances are | shall"
Think the picture really worth hav-
ing2n SAID Zerubbabel, with a depre-
catOry shrug-
mo. doubt about it. You see it's
an attractive subject and one that is
sure to take the public. They don't
like your grand historical pictures.
They prefer something pretty and pas
tOrdl, and that sort of thing. Bet you
what you like that MegIlp's pIcture'u
| be hung on the line. At all events,
I'm gong round TO his studio in a few
days and make him an offer for it.''
Mr.. ZerubbaJel smiled, and rubbed
/ his hands complacently. He had
learned something that might be useful
/ to him.
Re didn't get nd of Mr.. Lew until
| late In the afternon, consequently 1t
was nearly I O'Clock before he emerged
| from his shop and stopped passing
/ bus.
In less than half an hour the bric-a-
/ brac dealer was set down close to
/ Megilp's door. The servant who an
/ swered the bell told him that Negilp
was dining out that evening, and
asked II he would see her mistress.
Thinking a lady would be an easier
.
said that he would like TO speak to Mrs.
! Megup for a few minutes. Accordingly
he was ushered into the drawing room
where the lady shortly joined him.
You have called TO see my husband
about the-the bill OF sale, - the little
woman began in a frightened tone.
well. yes, ma am, in a way l have;
! but l should ike To see the picture lie
| offered me this morning. -
The Academy picture2" suggested
Mrs. Megllp. her face Frightening.
am sorry; but my husband generally
locks up his studio when he goes out.
Can't you call another day and see itr''
"Oh, yes, ." answered Mr.. Zerubbabel,
amIably; "but as L am here l might as
We'll tell you of the offer l am willing
10 make"
Mrs. Megiip's pretty face beamed
with Joy at the idea of arranging mat
ters with the money lender. 1t would
be such a delightful surprise FOR Michael
Angelo when he came home TO ind thai
that tiresome business of the bill OF sale
had been brought TO satitactory con-
clusiOn during his absence
''Mr. MegIlp wants To get back MS
bill of sale on this furnlturer' began
Mr.. Zerubbabel, with a circular SWEEP
| OF Ine uAHu "" aAu tHO - ~
room.
yes breathed poor Madge with
a shiyer. for she thought that the
. odIous man looked as though he woulC
Ike TO carry off her household goods
, there and then. AL the brightnes:
, went out of her face and she grew
quite pale.
well, of course my expenses IN con
} nection with this bill have been yerI
, heavy-very heavy, and my loss, II
; let il be paid of at once, Will be grea
, very great; in fact ElOO will barrel.
= put me straight" ;" said Mr.. Zerubbabe
j in a buslness-like tone That, adde'
10 the 800 Mr.. Megilp borrowed Q
D me last wear, makes 900. Now, II
2 make him this offer: I'll give him
5 check for E25, and send him back III
e hill of sale in consideration OF n
academy plcture-the big one, mind,
o notwithstanding my property
j 1.-The picture has been valued q
] $500, put in Mrs Megilp, timidly-
5 "Oh, has it2 BY you and Mr.. MegilI
l supposed Well l amt going TO CIV
- that. What l offered IS as good q
{ g325-an uncommonly high price, le
: me tell you, ma'am, for picture OS
4 unknown artist" D"
LIVERY one says NAsAt ny
= one of the rising artists OF the day,
n exclaimed Mrs. Megtlp, firing up.
II ''Oh, they all are" retorted NJ
Y Zerubbabel, rising. "Stiu you ha
v better think over my offer, and tell Nj
:, MrglIp what 1 have SAID. III ca
K around in a day or two to see the PIC
ure, when you can let me have q de-
ic mite answer"
is And Mr.. Zerubbabel took up MS IL
a and bowed and grinned himself ou
leaving the indignant little woman
7 mink over matters in general, and Il
X matter of the bill of sale IN particula
when Michael Angelo came IN, 81
= told him of the Jews visit and u
TX proposition he has made.
IT -sHe has changed his mind pref
Id quickly" ;" replied Megilp. This NOR